Senior Photog

Fellow Hogs,

I have a high regard for your vast knowledge of photography.
My background covers many types of cameras but almost nothing from the
modern age.
I have a future project that will require the highest level of sharpness I can produce, with reason. As usual, I do not have an unlimited budget.
Most full frame dslr's would probably work. This project will involve
a lot of landscape shots. I am not locked into any one brand of camera.
Almost everything will be shot on a tripod. What would you recommend?
I'm sure you will have questions for me.
Thanks in advance.
...Joe in NJ

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Joe, Be glad to help. Tell me your budget and kind of images you need to take? Only landscapes?

BebuLamar

Since you're experienced the best bet is to do research on your own. Nobody can really recommend something for you.

Senior Photog

Thanks for your help.
My budget would be cover almost any of the full frame pro cameras. I'm partial to Nikon but not locked in to them.
For this project, every shot would be a
landscape. I know that a fixed focal length lens in most cases will give better results but in my case a good zoom would be fine.
I guess I'm asking if there would be much difference between brands, staying in the same price range.
I know a lot more about view cameras than I do about dslr's.
Many thanks! ...Joe in NJ

whwiden

Avoid the top Nikon D5 which is for action, not landscapes. Consider a Nikon D850. Consider the Nikon D750, particularly if you stich images. On a tripod, the DX D7200 is a good landscape option and a real bargain now. Lenses: Nikon 24mm and 85mm f/1.8 on either DX or FF. The D7200 has no anti alias filter. The D750 does.

Naptown Gaijin

Since you want the highest level of sharpness, full frame, and a zoom lens, I would recommend a Sony A7RIII, Nikon D850, or similar Canon. For lens I you want a 24-70mm zoom, or something close to that. Should be at least as low as 28mm on the short end. All my zoom lenses except one are fixed max aperture, usually f2.8. Landscapes don't move very much, and since you will be using a tripod, and can therefore take you time in shooting, I would think that internal stabilization in the camera or lens is not needed. It won't be used on a tripod anyway.

I would think that in shooting landscapes you want the most depth of field, so you will likely be hooting at f4.0~f8, maybe even up to f16. In other words, a really fast lens is not necessary.

How big an image do you plan to print? This will determine whether you need a 20 mp sensor or a 50 mp sensor. If you are not printing, then a smaller sensor will probably do, something around 16-24 mp. If you are blowing up stuff to poster size, nd want sharpness, then 40-52 mp would be better, IMO.

Now it is time for you to take that info and go to imagingresoure.com and dpreview.com, etc.,etc., and make some decisions.

You are about to make a sizeable investment, which hopefully will be repaid in your fees for the job, or at least cover part of your fees. Also, suggest you remember that you may use this equipment for other jobs in the future, and will be buying lenses for whatever body you get at some point in the future.

Sony stuff is very expensive, but a bit lighter. If you already have Nikon lenses, go with the Nikon body.

Finally, if you want REALLY SHARP photos of anything, get a Phase One camera with an 80 or 100 mp back, for $75k or so.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Landscapes.
Buy an 850 and put a 14-24mm 2.8 on it--Or a good 1.4 prime and stitch.

Senior Photog

I love the great info I'm receiving!
At some time in the future I'll explain this
project to everyone.
Many thanks! ...Joe in NJ

Vietnam Vet

Canon 1dx II
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon%201dx&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
canon 16-35
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon%2016-35&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

First start with a great tripod capable of holding the camera and lens combo
Second a remote release
Set of filters, CPL, ND, graduated ND
I’d go with Sony a7riii and possibly 3 zoom lenses from 12 to 200 and a couple primes
Or go with Olympus OMDem1mk2 and lenses as above
Good luck

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

Joe, I have the Nikon D-750 with the Nikkor 24-120 mm lens and the Nikkor 70-300 mm lens and both the camera and lenses I use are excellent for Landscape, wildlife and I am very satisfied with the results I get with them. Take a look on the reports by Ken Rockwell on his website (kenrockwell.com). He has great reports there are accurate and unbiased on both cameras and lenses.
Good luck and great shooting with whatever equipment you choose.

miked46 Loc: Winter Springs, Florida

if I was in your shoes, I would get an 80D from Cannon or maybe the D7500 from Nikon and then add a good 16-35 lens for wide angle.

TSHDGTL

Pentax K-1 with pixel shift.https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/image-comparison/fullscreen?attr134_0=nikon_d850&attr134_1=canon_eos5dmkiv&attr134_2=pentax_k1&attr134_3=canon_eos5dsr&attr136_0=1&attr136_1=1&attr136_2=1&attr136_3=1&attr176_0=off&attr176_1=off&attr176_2=ps&attr176_3=off&normalization=compare&widget=268&x=0.44750064738255035&y=0.9602032003948002

traderjohn Loc: New York City

The right answer.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Since I shoot Nikon, I would recommend a D850. I like my D750, but maybe the D850 would give better results. Of course, where sharpness is the main goal, you'll want a good lens. Realistically, anyone with photographic skill can produce sharp images with almost any camera, given a good lens. Depending on the situation, focus stacking might be required.

Comparison sites -
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

Lenses -
http://lensvslens.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.diyphotography.net/this-website-helps-you-choose-your-next-lens-based-on-the-photos-you-like/
https://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare
http://www.lenscore.org/